Cinemagraphs

Bethany Santillan — 2016-06-15

When it is time make some updates to your website, it can be the small things that make a big difference. We recently have been making small changes here and there to our own website. Most recently, we changed all of our profile pictures to cinemagraphs.

What are cinemagraphs?
Cinemagraphs are a still image with a small part of it moving. They are rendered as a looped animated gif, so it plays over and over. It could be someone winking, something moving in the background, ect. To me, the more subtle the better. It makes your mind go... did they or something move in that picture? On a website, it gives you that Harry Potter, moving photos in a printed newspaper feel.

Insights
This was really fun for me. I used a Nikon D5000 to capture the video. It is not the best for video, but it got the job done. I recommend shooting outside in natural light or the use of studio lighting would be best. A tripod is a must! If you have a remote shutter release, use it. This will allow the camera to be absolutely still, which is also a must. I had to re-shoot some because of camera shake and lighting.

I used Photoshop CC to create the cinemagraphs. For me, it is the easiest and quickest way. Here is a link to a YouTube video that helped me. He explains everything that you need to know to make a cinemagraph.

Once you get your cinemagraph made, the next step is placement. Ours are our profile pictures, so they are small. They kind of just catch your eye. I have seen cinemagraphs that are used as backgrounds also that look really good. The movement brings the page to life.